CTC Zero Club -- if this doesn't exist I just created it

I just got my first Circulating Tumor Cell count and it was a big fat ZERO!!

That means there was no evidence of tumor cells circulating in my blood. Considering how metastasized I am, that was a great comfort to know. My PSA may be stable as well although I will not get a count until next month.

I take some psychological comfort being in a Zero club so I'm declaring a CTC Zero club so I can be in it.

Here's to the CTC Zero Club and its charter member JohnKeats! Way to go!

Apparently, a CTC of 5 or less is considered "safe". Anything over 5 is an area for concern.

Of course, having zero is best.

John,

I love the new club and congrats on your 0. I've had 3 such tests and will join you in the club.

I just wish my cost for it was 0 (insurance battles)

Good for you.

JL

great news John....too young for numbers like that. Glad things are working out for you.

John I am pleased to have joined you in the Zero on the CTC Club. "No circulating tumor cells (CTC's) were detected by the CellSearch method."

I was glad to have researched your post because my initial reaction was that Quest must have made a mistake.

Though not as many mets as you, I too have bone mets confirmed by two bone scans and recent MRIs of thoracic spine and pelvis.

The MRI attributed the brightest coloration on the bone scan to a 4 MM central to right central lateral herniated disc at T7-T8 with extrinsic compression of the right exiting nerve root sleeve. Though that sounds almost as bad as bone mets, I have no symptoms or pain.

So that worst looking part on the bone scans was actually benign with respect to bone metastasis.

The MRI of the thoracic spine conclusion was that lesions are present involving the T4 and T9 vertebral bodies consistent with mild metastatic disease.

My general feeling on mild heart attack or mild mets is it is only "mild" when it refers to someone else, but appears to be good news along with the second bone scan which indicated improvement from the first.

The general CYA wording on the bone scans is very frustating, can't tell whether it's 1% improvement or low double digit improvement or high double digit improvement but at least going in the right direction.

On the other hand, the MRI of the Pelvis concluded Metastatic disease to the sacral ALA as well as to the Iliac bones and proximal femoral necks. That was worse than the bone scan that was only a small dot, with the right side view just not symmetric with the left side view.

So what does Zero CTC mean? That we have no new primary tumors forming, just the residue from the old tumors?

I just got the results, the CTC was ordered by my second opinion Urologist and the MRI were ordered by my new radiation oncologist. I have not had a chance to discuss with UF & Shands Medical Oncologist and probably won't untill my Novemeber appointment as it does not change my treatment and the 4-month Lupron on August 1 lasts til December anyway.

John, Thanks for posting as it gave me something to gauge my report by.

LupronJim

john - congrats congrats congrats - a zero is good in any format - hooorah for you!
Bronson